Hairy Harold & His Extraordinary Trip to New York

Quintero’s impressive debut, which was crowdfunded through Kickstarter, introduces shy Harry and outgoing Clara, a quintessential odd couple. She loves red shoes, French fries, and diet soda; he dines on bugs and enjoys tending the garden. (Harry is a beefy gorilla in glasses, while Clara is a waifish rabbit.) When Clara pursues her dream of visiting New York City, she “wants her best furry friend to come along,” so they take a bus because Harry is terrified of heights. With an almost Dadaist eccentricity, Quintero’s illustrations capture the chaos of the city in collages that incorporate pencil and ink-drawn buildings, maps, advertisements, and other ephemera, while also highlighting some very stylishly dressed animals. The two visit museums, ride the subway, and go window-shopping. When the money runs out, Harry responds to an ad that reads, “Needed: Gorilla to jump off a 100-foot high diving board. Good pay,” forcing him to face his biggest fear. Quintero’s storytelling isn’t quite as confident as his illustration skills, but this is still a rewarding, offbeat N.Y.C. adventure that combines a loyal friendship with a gentle critique of consumerism. Ages 4–8. (BookLife)